by Abigail Luftig

Created on: March 04, 2009

Nestled away in the corner of Harrisburg's Broad Street Market is a stand that has become somewhat of a tradition over the last thirteen years. First opened as a health food stand almost a decade and a half ago, Nude Foods was bought by now-owner Pam Kinsey and has transformed itself into a oasis for local vegans. First things first, how do carnivores tell the difference between vegetarians and vegans? "Some vegetarian people will still eat fish, they usually won't eat beef or pork but some of them will eat eggs, they're all different. But vegan people are a little stricter. It's more then just our food. We don't eat seafood, we don't eat meat, we don't eat diary, so nothing that's come from an animal at all. We also don't wear or use anything, like I don't wear any cosmetics that have been tested on animals and I don't wear leather, wool, or silk," Kinsey explains.

While Nude Foods does carry some non-vegan and non-health foods, such as refined sugar and egg-based pasta, the majority of the offerings are strictly vegan in both philosophy and execution. Kinsey offers pre-made chocolate crme truffles in a variety of flavors, including espresso and peanut butter, which are made with soy milk. Her stall at the market also allows people to buy vegan pasta, rice, oats, spices, and sauces, but the philosophy of green life doesn't end there. Customers can also buy all-natural cosmetics, incense and pet toys.

On Saturdays, Kinsey to offer vegan breakfast options, all of which are surprisingly accessible to meat-eaters. If a newcomer arrives at the stand unsure of what to order, allow popularity to be your guide. Kinsey explains, "I can tell you what my customers' favorite breakfast item is, and that's the tofu scramble fiesta. It's actually tofu with corn, green olives, a veggie chorizo (which is like a spicy veggie sausage) and then it's just got some Mexican spices and we grill it and serve it with whole grain toast and a serving of fruit."

Aside from building a local following over the years, Nude Foods also attracts a strong state and national following by word of mouth. Her website (http://nudefood.biz/ allows people to order vegan staples as well as giving directions and information about the market stall. She is also listed "on a website for vegetarian people that's called www.happycow.com
and I've had people from all over the country coming through Harrisburg and visiting the stand, and that's pretty cool. We actually had a girl who was playing at the Whitaker a couple of weeks ago, and she saw me on Happy Cow and she came down with members of her band and ate here because she was vegan," says Kinsey.

Looking toward the future, Kinsey plans to host holiday meals in the market. "I know I'm doing something for St Paddy's Day, possibly for Valentine's Day, I'm not sure. It just depends. Because I do make vegan stuffed cabbage rolls and Mullagatwany stew," she hints. More resources

http://www.flymagazine.net/

Learn more about this author, Abigail Luftig.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.